Abstract: A blow molding apparatus for expanding a polymer tube and a method for fabricating a stent using the apparatus is disclosed. The polymer tube is disposed within a tubular mold, over which a heated ring is made of a material having thermal conductivity greater than the tubular mold is translated. The ring is heated with heated fluid streams applied directly onto an outer surface of the ring, or heated fluid circulated within the ring, or an electrically resistive coil within the ring, or combinations thereof. The heated ring uniformly heats a circumference of the tubular mold that, in turn, uniformly heats a circumferential band of the polymer tube. The heated polymer tube is progressively expanded radially and axially while the ring is translated longitudinally over the polymer tube. The expanded polymer tube can be heat set and cooled prior to removal from the tubular mold.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices with elastomeric block copolymer coatings are disclosed.

Abstract: A patterned coating on a prosthesis, for example a stent, and a method for forming the coating are disclosed Additionally, an apparatus for forming the patterned coating is disclosed.

Abstract: Impact absorbing assembly for slope protection systems, fitted in the containment and protection screens to guard against stones or other bodies landsliding, comprising two cables arranged in the form of loops, each being cased in a “U” shaped tube. The cables are interlaced or arranged in parallel, the loops being fastened together in their upper and lower part by a clamping element compressing the tubes. The cables comprising the invention may be installed taut between the hill anchoring and the protection system, or alternatively, fitted on the mesh support cables with the posts. When an overload occurs on the containment screen, the sudden pull on the cables will force the tubes to become distorted to slide within the clamping elements, the friction leading to a dissipation of energy.

Abstract: A medical device such as a stent with a catheter, delivery balloon and an infrared energy source is disclosed. The infrared energy source heats the delivery balloon, and/or the stent to a temperature above body temperature, thereby increasing the flexibility of the stent such that formation of cracks in the stent upon its expansion is reduced or eliminated. Either the delivery balloon, and/or the stent may include an infrared energy absorbing material.

Abstract: A patterned coating on a prosthesis, for example a stent, and a method for forming the coating are disclosed. Additionally, an apparatus for forming the patterned coating is disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system of monitoring environmental exposure of stents using radiofrequency identification is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for crimping a stent onto a balloon includes inflating a balloon with a fluid, sliding a stent over the inflated balloon, crimping the stent onto the balloon, and controlling the pressure inside the balloon below a given value when the stent is being crimped onto the balloon.

Abstract: A patterned coating on a prosthesis, for example a stent, and a method for forming the coating are disclosed Additionally, an apparatus for forming the patterned coating is disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for reduced temperature radiation sterilization of stents are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating polymer stents using injection molding are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of crimping a stent on a balloon of a catheter assembly is provided. A polymeric stent is disposed over a balloon in an inflated configuration. The stent is crimped over the inflated balloon to a reduced crimped configuration so that the stent is secured onto the balloon. The balloon wall membrane is wedged or pinched between the strut elements of the stent for increasing the retention of the stent on the balloon.

Abstract: Methods of treating the polymeric surfaces of a stent with a fluid including a solvent for the surface polymer are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of enhancing adhesion of drug delivery coatings on stents are disclosed.

Abstract: A drug eluting stent is disclosed. The stent includes a stent base; a basecoat formulation comprising Sirolimus in a polymer coating, wherein the polymer coating contains ethylene-co-vinyl acetate and poly-n-butyl methacrylate; and a topcoat disposed on the basecoat formulation.

Abstract: An implantable medical device and methods for making the implantable medical device are disclosed. The implantable medical device includes a substrate. At least a portion of the substrate is coated with a first layer including a polymer containing a drug. A barrier overlies the first layer. The barrier significantly reduces the rate of release of the drug from the polymer, thereby sustaining release of the drug from the medical device for a longer time. The barrier may be a homogeneous layer overlying the first layer, or a number of discrete deposits over the first layer. Alternatively, the barrier may be intermixed with an outer portion of the first layer. The barrier material is biocompatible, and typically has a thickness ranging from about 50 angstroms to about 20,000 microns.

Abstract: A drug eluting medical device is disclosed. The device includes a barrier layer for reducing the rate of release of a drug.

Abstract: A patterned coating on a prosthesis, for example a stent, and a method for forming the coating are disclosed. Additionally, an apparatus for forming the patterned coating is disclosed.

Abstract: A drug eluting medical device is disclosed. The device includes a barrier layer for reducing the rate of release of a drug.

Abstract: A coating for a prosthesis, for example a stent, and a composition for forming the coating is disclosed. The coating can serve as a primer, allowing substances, such as polymers, to be effectively secured by the prosthesis. Alternatively, the coating can serve as a reservoir, allowing for the local and sustained release of a therapeutic substance to biological tissues. The composition can be formed from an ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer and a dimethylsulfoxide solvent, with or without a therapeutic substance. Alternatively, the composition can be formed from an ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer, a dimethylsulfoxide solvent, and a wetting fluid, with or without a therapeutic substance. The composition is applied to a surface of the prosthesis and essentially all of the dimethylsulfoxide solvent or dimethylsulfoxide solvent/wetting fluid is removed or allowed to evaporate to form the coating.